Alzheimer’s Disease – The Last Mile of the Way – May It Bring Blessing for My Husband and Me

Learning to deal with my husband’s Alzheimer’s disease is an ongoing challenge. My prayer for him is that he will not suffer pain or anxiety during this last chapter of his life. God will honor that prayer and grant it as long as it serves my husband well. We don’t always understand the purpose behind suffering. Yet, I see my prayer being answered, and I’m grateful for that.

When I think that I understand the progression of Alzheimer’s in my husband’s life, the circumstances change. When I think he is dangling at death’s door, he rallies and regains what I assumed was lost ground. I rejoice only to find that those gains were temporary. Although his condition gets better and worsens, the general trend continues in one direction, toward his homecoming, or his home-going from my perspective. The phrase from our wedding vows, until death parts us, has become a reminder of that non-negotiable separation date approaching, an event that affects both of us.

I am grateful not only for my salvation and ultimate eternal heavenly future, but also for the presence of Jesus in my life. Without Him, I’d not recover from such a loss. With Him, I will. Without Him, I’d fear for my own future and for my husband’s eternity. Because of Him, I won’t. Two paths diverged in a yellow wood. Most of us recognize the first line of Robert Frost’s famous poem. And the last: And that made all the difference. For me, the road less traveled, my journey with Jesus, although rough under the feet from time to time, sparkled with sunbeams and starlight that grew brighter and brighter along the way. His face I see more plainly as I travel, and it holds my gaze for the journey ahead.

________________________________

Romans 8:26-31 – The Bible (KJV) – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Ephesians 5:20 – The Bible (KJV) – Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…